I don't care if this sounds to gluttonish for words. There are some days when, even before I have opened my eyes, I lie in bed listening to the rain pitter- patter in through the hole in my 150 year old roof and I know it's a chocolate cake kinda day. Today, I am thrilled to say, is one of those days. I'm not sure I really want to share this recipe. When friends have asked me for it in the past, I have given it grudgingly and occasionally, left out one or two vital ingredients...

So I'm wicked, what are you going to do about it?

Lovely, Cosy, Chocolate Comfort Cake.

125g Unsalted Butter.

100g (At least 75% cocoa solids) Dark Chocolate, broken into bits.

150g Light Brown Sugar.

2 Large Eggs Beaten.

1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Essence.

150g Self Raising Flour.

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Melt the butter in a saucepan, take off the heat and stir in the chocolate until it too melts. Add the sugar and eggs and stir until mixed, then sieve in the flour slowly. Add the vanilla essence, then pour into a shallow cake tin and bake for approximately 45 mins.

Decorate with icing sugar or Ganache (cream and chocolate combined) and serve on your prettiest pink plate with a tablespoon of Lavender cream and a sprig of fresh Lavender for Brocante charm.